Breaking News...
Aramoho Whanganui Rowing Club will be represented by one full crew at the NZ Championship Regatta at Lake Ruataniwha – the Women’s Premier Coxless Four. This crew will feature Jackie Gowler, Kerri Gowler and Georgie Nugent-O’Leary (our Tokyo Olympic representatives!), plus Phoebe Collier (ex-Whanganui Collegiate and now part of the Central RPC).
This event is the women’s equivalent of ‘the Boss Rooster’ men’s event and Red Coats await the victors!
We wish them every success.
Recap - Hawkes Bay Regatta
The club made its annual pilgrimage to this event at the start of January. The regatta was conducted successfully in extremely hot conditions.
First placings were gained by Colin Wright and Murray Stewart in the Men’s Masters 2X, while our youngest Master, Luke Watts, easily outdistanced the field in winning the Men’s Masters 1X.
School rowers, Jordan Manville and James Clear were successful in winning the Men’s Open 2X, and Georgina Ross and Messina Su’a continued their positive progress with a victory in the Women’s Club 2X.
Our Toyota sponsored truck with a large load of 18 boats in total, preparing to depart for Hawkes Bay (this may be a record trailer-load for the club!)
Promising 14-year-old sculler Reeve Watson, after finishing second in the Women’s Club 2X. Reeve also partnered Luke Watts in the Open Mixed 2X 250 Metre ‘Shoot Out’, for a second placing.
Some rating watches clocked this combination at 45 spm, but this may have been on the light side!
Our Woman’s Club Coxed 4X of Nikita, Jay, Messina, and Georgina, with Coxswain, Sarah.
This was Novice Jay Stoneman-Wills’ first regatta race. At the time, she had been rowing for only 18 days, and she handled the occasion with aplomb!
Recap - Billy Webb Memorial Race
This event drew 40 entrants on the 24th of January, with evergreen Mahe Drysdale again taking the trophy (which he didn’t defend last year).
Our best AWRC performance came from Georgina Ross and Messina Su’a in their under-17 2X (13th on prognostic time), while legendary Trevor Rush secured 17th placing to highlight that septuagenarians have still got it!
North Island Club Championships
Our club rowers (all from Whanganui High School) performed well to produce One Gold, One Silver, and One Bronze medal last weekend. More details, and hopefully photos, next month.
Whanganui Championships
The decision was made to cancel this regatta, which was scheduled Saturday 6th of February. Due to lack of entries, the regatta would have run at a loss.
It is very unfortunate that our local rowing scene continues to be eroded by the desire of most clubs and schools choosing to attend Karapiro regattas. Additionally, the proximity of the NZ Rowing Championships, that this year commence on the 16th of February, means that many clubs are focussing on that event.
Notes of Appreciation
-> Life member, Peter Smith, together with wife Caryl, recently sold their house and Property Brokers, who currently offer a donation to the vendor’s charity of choice, have donated $500 to our club. Thank you, Pete and Caryl! If anyone knows of a smaller, low maintenance, three-bedroom house, available for purchase, please advise Pete!
-> Life member, Pat Spriggens has plumbed our new water fountain into the gym area of the Club Shed. Note: water bottles can be filled as well! This facility will hopefully avoid thirsty gym-attendees traipsing into our lounge-kitchen and leaving unwashed glasses for someone else to look after!!
-> Pat has also provided a gas connection to a large cooker in the club kitchen. Thank you for your time and expertise, Pat!
-> Haymaking: to our dedicated team of athletes and parent volunteers, your efforts this year should yield close to $4,000. Well done!
Other News
-> New Double-Scull Boat – submissions have been made for grant assistance toward the purchase of a new boat.
-> Lincoln University – Whanganui High School Rowing will again host Lincoln University Students for meals at the club this year and will be seeking billets (April). This revenue opportunity was lost last year, due to COVID-19. Anyone who could please assist with billets is asked to contact Lisa Murphy at Whanganui High School.
Quote of the Month
Have a good photo we should share with others?
We are always on the hunt for photos. If you have one that you want to feature in an upcoming newsletter, send it to awrowing@gmail.com.
